What WEF Davos Is Really Like (From a Girl Who Visited for the First Time)

When I heard “Davos” or “The World Economic Forum,” I imagined powerful leaders, global policies, eminent decision makers and serious conversations about the future of the world. All of this is true. But here’s what we don’t get to know:
Davos is also snow boots, strong thermals, frozen fingers, warm caps, surprise coffee meetings, and the strange magic of running into world leaders while looking for hot tea.
This year, I attended Davos 2026 as the founder of Variaabl Education and it turned out to be one of the most amazing, eye-opening, energising, and unexpectedly human experiences I’ve had.

Here’s what the The WEF Davos is really like.

First Things First: The Fashion Reality Check at the WEF Davos
Let’s address the most important question- What do you wear when you’re discussing global leadership in sub-zero weather? What to wear at the WEF Davos?
Davos fashion is critical. It’s where power dressing meets survival strategy.

My formula became:
-Powerful jackets (the kind that makes you feel warm even in snowstorms)
-Thermal layers that no one can see but you silently thank all day.
-Knit dresses, woollen skirts and smart pants for indoor events. Remember you’ll be wearing a thermal layer underneath.
-Snow boots with serious grip (because icy paths are not impressed by your heels and leather sheen).
– Super warm mufflers, gloves and caps to walk through streets, pavillion to pavillion and to the train station.
-A bag big enough for storing your cap, gloves, invites, lip balm and emergency chargers.
I was walking into rooms with CEOs and policymakers but I was manoeuvring through a snow-covered street. Glamour, but practical.

You won’t find coat hangers and places to store your snow shoes, in case you are thinking of changing your shoes there. Be practical. People understand the weather conditions and they are more interested in what you are creating for the future.

Do read: What The WEF Davos Taught Me & How to Prepare for it

This surprised me the most. Davos is not a one big venue. For one snowy week, it’s a quiet Swiss mountain town that becomes the meeting point of the world.
You move across:
-Hotel lounges turned into discussion hubs
-Country houses hosting private and public panels
-Corporate gatherings
-Investor & media dinners
-Cafes where “quick coffee” turns into a powerful introduction
You will be doing the most meaningful conversations unexpectedly. The conversations happen on the stage; they happen in corners; they happen over warm drinks and in-between sessions.

The Most Important Thing You Pack Isn’t Your Suitcase. It’s clarity.
At Davos, knowing the answer to this is critical: “So what brings you here?”
You need an answer that is simple, confident and real.
For me, it was about representing Variaabl Education and building meaningful global partnerships in leadership learning. That clarity made every conversation easier because I knew why I was there and what kind of people I wanted to meet.
Davos rewards intention. Wandering is fun. Direction is powerful.

The Unwritten Rules of The WEF Davos
After the first days, patterns start to appear.
–Don’t lead with a pitch
Lead with curiosity. Ask questions. Listen. The right conversations unfold naturally.
–Think long-term
Davos is not a place for quick deals. It’s where seeds of collaboration are planted.
–Take breaks
The cold, the walking and the constant conversations are intense. Even 15 minutes of a coffee break helps you reset.
–Follow up fast
The real Davos begins after Davos. Send messages, emails, Linkedin Connection requests to keep the connection alive.

My Personal Takeaway
What stayed with me was more than I could imagine. What stayed the most wasn’t just the scale of ideas, it was the sense of shared responsibility.
People weren’t only talking about growth. They were talking about education, health, inclusion, leadership and the kind of world we’re shaping.
It reminded me why the work we do at Variaabl Education matters so deeply. Because when leaders grow with the right learning and perspective, the impact goes far beyond their own careers.

Davos may look like snow and suits from the outside. From the inside, it feels like a big possibility.

That’s it! You’ve got the truth about what happens at the WEF. Now, go forth and change the world! You have everything you need.
And if this perspective resonates, you’ll find more of it unfolding in my ongoing work on leadership, education and lifestyle on Let’s Expresso. Let’s be in touch here and on IG.